Matic’s contract with Manchester United expires next summer, so the club are open to cashing in on him while they can, with the hope of reinvesting the money in a replacement.

The Red Devils were already expected to go into the transfer market for a midfielder in January, but could make multiple signings if Matic is allowed to leave, with a striker also on the shopping list.

Matic has been out of action for a month, not even sitting on the bench for United since the loss to Newcastle in early October.

Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described it as a ‘little problem’ but the lack of rush to get the midfielder back into the fold shows where he stands in his manager’s thinking.

Much will depend on whether United can identify a replacement in January, when it is notoriously difficult to do deals, as if they cannot, then the club will likely prefer to keep hold of Matic till the summer.